It has been four months since Pope Francis has traveled as the bishop of Rome to visit priests in the diocese.
Having recovered from a cold that had kept him from being at 100% for several weeks and after Easter celebrations, the Pope visited a small neighborhood marked by hardship in the northeast of Rome, where the parish of St. Henry is located.
There, he met with 35 priests. Pope Francis dedicated time to personally answering each one of their questions.
One of the priests gave the Pope an artwork he had painted himself. It was an icon of a Marian image Pope Francis has a strong devotion to: the Salus Populi Romani.
As he left the parish, a group of about 50 people were waiting for him and the Pope stopped to greet them from his car. Not only did he bless some children, he even drew on one of their casts.
The last times Pope Francis made these pastoral visits were in September, November and December. Last year, he resumed these small trips after the COVID pandemic.
CA
TR: KG